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Monday, April 30, 2018

Beach Fishing With Paul Sperco Palm Beach/Martin County Area

                                             
The pompano and whiting action was excellent this weekend up and down Hutchinson Island but it looks like the easterly wind pattern is returning and conditions are going to be challenging for the work week. My son Randy and I had I had Ricky Gonzalez Sr. and Jr. from Miami out today on a charter and we were able to take advantage of the beautiful weather and great fishing. We fished Middle Cove beach and ended up with 13 nice pompano and 14 nice whiting. The pictures that are attached only show 10 of the pompano because after we took the shots the bite turned back on and we added 3 more to the cooler. It was a pleasure fishing with this father and son team, and I doubt there are too many 8 year olds like Ricky Gonzalez Jr. that are as dialed in and enjoy fishing as much as he does. His Dad has obviously introduced this great kid to fishing at an early age and he had no problem with the entire process of baiting, casting, catching, and removing his fish after a brief introduction at the beginning of the trip. He had as much fun catching double headers of whiting as he did reeling in numerous pompano. I have always preached that our whiting and croaker surf fishery is a great opportunity to getting kids involved in fishing so if you have a son, daughter, niece, or nephew that has an interest in any type of fishing, take advantage of this activity and you will have a fishing partner for life. We also caught and released blue runners and a bonefish to add to thelong catch list. The long rods baited with EZ Flea & pink clam Fishbites and natural sand fleas accounted for all of the pompano while a short rod fished 20 to 30 yards with Shrimp and Clam Fishbites caught the majority of the whiting. I received positive reports from Tiger Shores, Fletcher, Normandy, and Blue Heron beach accesses with whiting being the major catch with some pompano thrown into the mix as well. They are still catching good numbers of pompano to the south of us so with any luck this run should continue right into May

Sebastian Inlet Report

     BLUES, SHARKS AND SNOOK

It’s was a blustery morning at the inlet.  Winds are blowing out of the Northeast at 15 mph, gusting to 20 and there is a moderate chop on the water.  Seas are 3’ – 5’ with a wave interval of 6 seconds making it bumpy offshore.  The forecast looks like we will have these conditions most of this week.
The water is clean and clear at the inlet but bait in the water is scarce.  We depend on the bait fish to bring in the predators and we’re just not seeing that happen right now.  Tommy Turowski at the Sebastian Inlet Bait and Tackle Shop reports that Whiting and Sharks are being landed from the beaches and the Snook bite has been better in the evening hours on the incoming tide.  Anglers using shallow diving plugs, greenies or pinfish seem to be most successful.  
Grouper, hogfish fishing reopens May 1 in Atlantic, Monroe County waters
The following species will reopen to recreational harvest May 1 in Florida state and federal waters of the Atlantic: hogfish; gag, black, red, yellowmouth and yellowfin grouper; scamp; red hind; rock hind; coney; and graysby.
Hogfish will remain open through Oct. 31, 2018, on the east coast of Florida as well as south and east of Cape Sable on the Gulf coast. The other species will remain open through Dec. 31, 2018, on the east coast of Florida and all state waters off Monroe County.
More information about hogfish and grouper bag and size limits, gear restrictions and fishing seasons, including a map of the Atlantic and Gulf grouper fishing boundaries, is available online at MyFWC.com/Fishing; select “Saltwater Fishing” then “Recreational Regulations.”

Saturday, April 28, 2018

Sebastian Inlet Report


     A BEAUTIFUL WEEKEND AHEAD!

It’s a lovely morning at the Sebastian Inlet.  Winds are blowing out of the Southwest at 5 mph, gusting to 9 and the water has a light chop.  There are no NOAA advisories.  We have a chance of showers and possible thunderstorms this afternoon and evening but the rest of the weekend looks like we will have sunny skies, temperatures in the low 80’s and cooperative seas for our boaters.  It looks like it’s going to be a real nice weekend.  Always check the NOAA forecast prior to boating as conditions can change quickly.
The bite from the north jetty remains on the slow side although some nice species are being landed in small numbers.  Pompano is the most coveted fish right now and we’ve seen some come over the rails with some good size.  Black Drum, Spanish Mackerel, Snook and Sheepshead are hitting sporadically.
Our photo today is one from  Sam Hirsch with a 25” Black Drum he landed.
Keep This Date......

                                     May 2-2018 
                                   

Mark Hightower will be give a seminar on "SPILLWAY SNOOK FISHING" and a update on the C51 spillway project. Talk starts at 7:00pm ... At the West Palm Beach Fishing Club









From Todd &Trey @ Juno Bait -Juno Beach


INSHORE-  Snook fishing was very good again this week.  The bridges are producing a good bite, especially at night.  Outgoing tide tends to produce best, but some fish are coming on the incoming as well.  With the snook you really are just looking for some current, slack tides are not ideal.  During the day look for the snook to be tight to seawalls and under boat docks in the ICW and Loxahatchee River.  Mixed in with the snook have been some bruiser jacks.  Both the snook and jacks are very happy to eat a large live mullet.  Mangrove snapper action continues to improve inshore.  Still a fair number of tarpon anging around Lake Worth Inlet.  
                     
                             photo courtesy of Pompano Rich

SURF/PIER-  Pompano fishing remained very good both along the beach and on the pier this week.  Sandfleas, clams, and fishbites remain the top producing baits for the pompano right now.  The early morning and late afternoon bite have been the ticket for the pompano.  Keep a rod in close (first trough) for a good bite on whiting and croaker.  Fresh cut shrimp is the best bet for the whiting and croaker.  The Juno Beach Pier has been pretty hot with a fair Spanish Mackerel bite, a few kingfish, some bruiser jacks, and an increasing number of snook.  While a few live baits are starting to show at the pier, dead sardines have been the best bet for the snook.  Rapapla X-Raps, Yo-Zuri longcast, and the Shimano Colt Sniper lures have all been a good lure choice.  Should hopefully continue into the weekend.

From The Crew @ Whites Tackle - Ft Pierce / Stuart


photo courtesy of Tom Guerra ("Indian River Pescador" on YouTube)                   

Inshore the snook bite has been good with live bait on the flats around the mangroves and bridges. the trout bite has been ok to the north around the mangroves and the sandbars with a few reds mixed in. The snapper bite in the river around the bridges and channel edges on the incoming tide.  Hopefully the wind will calm down for the weekend.

Sebastian Inlet Report

                                             

BLUES, JACKS, MACKEREL, SNOOK AND REDS

It’s a beautiful day at the Sebastian Inlet.  Winds are blowing out of the Southwest at 5 mph, gusting to 10 and there is a moderate chop on the water.  NOAA is calling for small craft to exercise caution this morning but winds will begin to diminish this afternoon.  That should give our beach anglers a nice opportunity to get out and do a little surf fishing.  There should be some Pompano, Reds and Snook and migrating Spanish Mackerel and Blues out there in the surf!
The bite from the north jetty as been slow.  We’ve had a variety of species in small numbers come over the rails this week, but nothing to get real excited about.  Small numbers of Blues, Jacks, Snook, Reds, Pompano and Sheepshead have been hitting sporadically.
Our angler of the day is Sally Baughman of Jackson Hole, WY.  Sally comes every winter to escape the colder months and she always has good luck with Snook.  

Sebastian Inlet Report

                                           

THE BITE IS ON THE SLOW SIDE

It’s another breezy morning at the inlet.  Winds are blowing out of the South-Southeast at 15 mph, gusting to 21 and there is a moderate chop on the water.  We have a chance of showers this morning and a chance of showers and thunderstorms this afternoon.  NOAA has a small craft advisory in effect through this afternoon.
Tommy Turowski at the Sebastian Inlet Bait and Tackle Shop reports a slower bite…still.  He was hoping the inclement weather over the weekend would kick up the bite but only a smattering of different species were landed and none in large numbers.  A few Blues, Mackerel, Reds, Snook and Sheepshead were landed for the more patient anglers.
Our photo today is courtesy of Susan Jefferson.  Susan sent in our featured photo today of her fiancé, Mervin Jones of Vero Beach.  Mervin was fishing the south beach near the jetty when he landed this sweet 16” Pompano.  Mervin landed this Pompano, his first, along with an undersized Snook and a couple of undersized Black Drum that were returned to the water.  He saw a couple of Reds landed by other anglers. 

Friday, April 20, 2018

Scouting Around Palm Beach / Martin County Area

In the St. Lucie and Indian Rivers the snook fishing is still incredible. Anglers working the docks with live pilchards are having a blast catching them. If fishing the open flats, and you can get them, live threadfins are the way to go.
In the same areas, the trout fishing is still excellent as well.
Along the beaches in the Jensen area, the pompano, whiting and croaker bite is great. They are hitting on Fishbites and frozen sand fleas.
The pompano bite from the Lake Worth Inlet up to Stuart is the best it’s been a long time. Sand fleas combined with Fishbites are working great.
The snook fishing in the Loxahatchee River has been picking up. One angler landed a 28 pounder recently.
The bluefish action, which had been fantastic and producing some huge fish in recent weeks, has slowed with the fish moving north.
Near the Boynton Inlet there have been quite a few stingray cruising around which can mean opportunistic cobia trailing and looking to steal a meal.
There have been snook congregating near the front of the north jetty on outgoing tides.
In the Intracoastal Waterway, south of the inlet, on an outgoing tide, anglers using chum bags and working the docks are reporting a good mangrove snapper bite and catching a few huge jack crevalle.
courtesy of The Palm Beach Post

Sebastian Inlet Report


                                 


BLUES, POMPANO, REDS, SNOOK, JACKS AND BLACK DRUM

We have a fantastic morning at the inlet.  Cool breezes, blue skies, clean, calm water and sun, it doesn’t get much better than that.  The winds have died down as forecasted and this morning we have Westerly winds at 3 mph, gusting to 6 and there is a light chop on the water.  Today and tomorrow look good for boating or surf fishing, by Friday afternoon, conditions will begin to get rougher creating hazardous boating conditions through the weekend.  Get out and enjoy it if you can.
We received our photos today from David Rathburn of MA.  David and his brothers come down several times each year to “visit Mom” but always seem to make it to the north jetty for some fishing.  Dave gets a kick out of seeing the same Blues that he was catching in MA migrate down to Sebastian Inlet for round two.   Although the bite has been slower than usual for his springtime visit, he’s landed a few Snook, Reds, huge Blues and a few nice Pompano. 

Wednesday, April 18, 2018

Beach Fishing With Paul Sperco Palm Beach/Martin County Area

The weeds were gone this morning due to the windshift we experienced yesterday and today and guess what - the pompano bit. I rescheduled my charter this morning due to the predicted uncertain surf conditions and as usually happens, the swell was gone. I ran down to the Bridge Road beach access in Hobe Sound to check that area and was happy to find the pompano there. I started fishing around 8 am and was limited out and releasing pompano by 9:15. The day started with a remora and two bluefish before the pompano turned on. Once they started biting it was non stop action on EZ Flea Fishbites. After getting my recrerational limit of 6, I left one rod in the sandspike as I started putting my gear away and that rod produced numbers 7,8, and 9 which were then released before I was able to take it out of play. I talked to a friend who was fishing south of me and the bite was as productive there as well. This is the kind of fishing we should have for the next few weeks so get out when you can. I stopped at the Snook Nook on the way home and local river expert and Snook Nook staff member Woody told me of a great whiting and croaker bite at Walton Rocks Beach access. Great Spring weather and lots of action should be on tap this week. Fish the second trough, 70 - 90 yards off the beach for pompano and look at the near shore trough area for the whiting and croaker. Fishbites, Clam Strips, and sand fleas will be the baits of choice for the pompano with Orange Clam Fishbites and cut shrimp the preferred offerings for the whiting and croaker. Good luck and catch em up.

Sebastian Inlet Report

BLUES, SNOOK, SHEEPSHEAD, POMPANO AND REDS
Our featured photo is of Alain Monfette of Montreal, Canada with a Pompano he landed.  Alain and his lovely wife were fishing from the north jetty when Alain landed this nice pomp using sand fleas.  
Keith Cole of Merritt Island is featured in our second photo below with a big 30” Bluefish he landed from the south beach.  He estimated it was at least 10 lbs.  He also landed an 18” and 21” Bluefish in a flurry of activity for about 30 minutes, then it went quiet until he left at 9:00 p.m.  

From Todd &Trey @ Juno Bait -Juno Beach

INSHORE-  Snook fishing remains pretty good inshore right now.  The bridges are holding snook at night, especially on the outgoing tide.  Scattered jacks moving around in the ICW.  Look for the jacks to be most active during lowlight periods of the day moving along seawalls.  A large mullet or big topwater plug is a good choice for a cruising bruiser jack.  Tarpon are still hanging in Palm Beach Inlet in fair numbers.  Some mangrove snapper are starting to be caught inshore.  The flats are starting to slow down a bit with the warming weather.  

SURF/PIER-  Nice mixed bag action at the Juno Beach Pier and along the beach right now.  Pompano action remains fair to good up and down the beach.  Lowlight periods of the day will be the best for the pompano.  Sandfleas and clams are the bait of choice for the pompano.  The Juno Beach Pier is also producing pompano on Doc's Goofy Jigs.  Spanish Mackerel have been hanging around the Juno Beach Pier in fair numbers.  White crappie jigs are no doubt the top producing lures for the macs right now.  It's a bit early, but the snook are starting to show at the pier.  A dead sardine is the bait of choice for the snook right now.  Could be a pretty good weekend in the surf...go if you have a chance! 
                                          
                   

Sebastian Inlet Report

                                                         

SNOOK, JACKS, REDS AND SPANISH MACKEREL

We have a windy, wet morning at the inlet today.  Winds are blowing out of the Northwest at 12 mph, gusting to 21 and the water is choppy.  There are a lot of dark clouds surrounding the inlet but the forecast is calling for drier, sunnier skies this afternoon.  NOAA has a small craft advisory in effect from early this morning through Thursday morning.  Seas will remain hazardous through Thursday.
The bite has picked up some but remains on the slow side.  Collin at Black Dog Bait and Tackle said the best bet right now is Snook on mojarra.  Quite a few Jacks are being landed along with a few Spanish Mackerel and Reds.  Black Dog Bait and Tackle is located on Ocean Ave. in Melbourne Beach and they carry live bait, supplies for surf, river and kayak fishing and kayak rentals.  Stop by on your way to the inlet, they are open until 10:00 p.m.  Thanks Collin!
Our angler of the day is Christopher Storkenson with a nice, 27” slot Red he landed while fishing from the south jetty rocks.  

State Park Info: On Saturday April 14th there will be a Surf Fishing Workshop from 1:00 – 3:15 at the Sebastian Inlet Fishing Museum on the south side of the Park.  Take a pen/pencil and something for note taking.  Call 772-388-2750 for more information.

Tuesday, April 10, 2018

Sebastian Inlet Report

                            


SHEEPSHEAD AND BLUES, A FEW SNOOK, REDS, POMPANO AND BLACK DRUM

It’s another beautiful day at the Sebastian Inlet.  Winds are blowing out of the Southwest at 12 mph, gusting to 14 and there is a moderate chop on the water.  We have a slight chance of showers this morning and likely showers and potential thunderstorms this afternoon.  Winds are forecasted to shift to the West this afternoon which could generate some waves for our surfers.
The weekend bite was fair.  A decent variety of species came over the rails but not in huge numbers.  Sheepshead and Blues dominated the catches with a few Snook, Reds, Blues, Pompano and Black Drum thrown into the mix according to Tommy Turowski at the Sebastian Inlet Bait and Tackle Shop.  Anglers are having good luck using live shrimp for most species.
Our angler of the day is inlet regular Rod Hutchinson.  Rod fished the north jetty and  had lots of  luck. It was an amazing day at the inlet, weather-wise and Rod took home three beautiful Pompano.  

Monday, April 9, 2018

Beach Fishing With Paul Sperco Palm Beach/Martin County Area

                                             
There is some great fishing along our local beaches for those who are getting the chance to wet a line. The weather did not cooperate towards the tail end of the work week as wind and weeds made conditions very diffulcult. The best area for those targeting pompano continues to be in the Hobe Sound -Jupiter area and the afternoon bite is still going strong. I did not fish in that area this week but reports from friends who did were excellent. I fished Middle Cove both Friday and today, Saturday, and although the big concentrations of pompano were not here, the whiting fishing was as good as it gets. The weeds made fishing almost impossible on Friday but I was still able to put a decent catch of whiting in the cooler for the short time I was there. Today I fished with my sons, Paul Jr. who is visiting from Long Island, NY, and my son Randy, who is a local resident. Paul Jr. is hoping to take some fillets back up north on Monday when he returns home and the amount of whiting caught today made that situation easy. We put 40 - 50 nice whiting in the coolers along with 3 nice pompano, so Paul will be enjoying a few Hutchinson Island Fish Fries when he returns home. The action was non-stop on the whiting with EZ Flea and Clam-scented Fish Bites being the most productive bait. The large whiting are staying 70 - 90 yards off of the beach, so the long rods are needed to reach them. The guys tried fishing the first trough but that area is loaded with small 7 - 9 inch whiting. I look for the pompano bite to turn back on along Hutchinson Island this week and coupled with this great whiting action, things should be good. 

From Todd &Trey @ Juno Bait -Juno Beach


 No huge changes in the inshore report.  Snook fishing remains good, and continuing warmer weather will further heat up the snook bite.   The snook are being caught under boat docks and along seawalls during the day, and around the bridges at night.  Larger swim baits and jigs remain a good lure choice for the snook at night.  Outgoing tide seems to be producing the best number of bites.  Pretty good number of jacks cruising around inshore for those looking for action.  Sheepshead and black drum action has slowed a bit; but the slack is starting to be taken up by increasing numbers of mangrove snapper.  Tarpon have been hanging around Palm Beach Inlet in fair numbers.
SURF/PIER:  Pompano bite was pretty good again this week.  Sandfleas and clams are the top bait choices for the pompano.  Expect the best pompano bite early in the morning and then again later in the afternoon.  Whiting and some croaker are biting small pieces of shrimp in the first trough.  The bluefish have largely moved up the coast, but a few are still hanging around.  Again lowlight periods will be best for the bluefish.  It's a bit early, but a few snook are starting to show up in the surf.  The Juno Beach Pier is also starting to produce some snook as well.  Dead sardine chunks fished very patiently on the bottom is a good choice for the snook right now.  Still a few spinner/blacktip sharks around as well.  Best bet for the sharks will to be fish lowlight periods of the day or even at night.  

Sebastian Inlet Report

                                               
BLUES, SHEEPSHEAD, SPANISH MACKEREL, JACKS AND A FEW REDS, SNOOK AND BLACK DRUM

We have another lovely day at the Sebastian Inlet.   Winds are blowing out of the East-Southeast at 11 mph, gusting to 14 and there is a light chop on the water.  Winds have picked up from earlier in the week but it looks as if seas will cooperate with our boaters this weekend. Wave intervals are predicted to be 7 – 8 seconds apart, it could get a little bumpy.  Always check the NOAA forecast prior to boating.
The bite seems to be picking as conditions become calmer.  Blue fish remain the dominant species going in and out of the inlet but they can be landed from the beaches as well, some big fish in the 10 lb. range have been landed.  Sheepshead and Spanish Mackerel have been increasing in numbers.  Sheepshead love structure, you can find them hanging around docks and pilings.  Use any crustacean to lure them in, especially sand fleas.  Small crabs, shrimp and clams are good baits or you could try jigs tipped with the same.  Black Drum, Snook and oversized Reds like the one we feature today are coming over the rails in small numbers too.  Sportswriter Ed Killer of Florida Today reports the Trout bite is picking up in the Indian River Lagoon. Get out this weekend and enjoy the great weather!
Our angler of the day is 15-year-old Finn Elberts who is visiting from Deerfield, IL.  Finn and his family fished the north jetty and landed Blues, Jacks and Sheepshead before Finn experienced the thrill of a lifetime by landing this real nice oversized Red.  Finn was using live shrimp and with the encouragement and net help from the local inlet fishermen, Finn brought it over the rails for a couple of quick photos and a safe release.  

Thursday, April 5, 2018

WPB Fishing Club Yard Sale

The West Palm Beach Fishing Club Marina Yard Sale will be held 7 a.m. to noon on Saturday 04-07 at their headquarters in downtown West Palm Beach. The event will feature a huge variety of used items, including fishing rods, reels, boat anchors, dock lines, gaffs, coolers, nets, fly-fishing gear, fishing lures, marine hardware, coolers, fish mounts, diving gear and more.

From Capt. Charlie @ Fishing Center - Ft Pierce

As March blows out of the area, you can still plan on some windy days ahead in April. The transition into the summer pattern is well under way and soon the winds will die down and you can enjoy those calm days of summer once again. Expect the fishing to be especially good this April as water temperatures warm up and spring takes over the area. March was a little warmer this year and the fishing has been good. As the river fills with bait schools, you can bet the fish are hungry and will be feeding heavily. Have fun and enjoy the fishing!

Redfish and trout will become more active around the flats. They will be shallow early and gradually move to the edges of the flats as the sun get higher in the sky. Look to areas like Bear Point, Harbor Branch and Round Island for trout to be feeding on the flats. On a calm morning, break out the top water lures and switch to jerk baits, like a DOA CAL 4” Arkansas Glow or Watermelon. Shallow running Mirrolures will also entice the trout into biting. Don’t forget to use the Deadly Combo or CAL Airhead for more exciting trout action on the grass flats. There has been a lot of redfish activity throughout March and it should make April a fantastic month. Redfish can be found on sandy flats around the docks or try the Moorings and Bear Point for a chance at a nice size red. DOA shrimp or CAL grub tails in root beer or glow colors are great ways to find a redfish along with a trusty gold spoon. 
The snook season has many anglers out seeking that slot fish this year. The bite has been good around the inlets and will improve on the flats as well. Snook season will close May 31st so you still have time to find that slot fish. We have had good luck with the DOA TerrorEyz on snook this winter. Docks will hold sheepshead, jacks, redfish and many other species. I like either a DOA 2 ¾” shrimp or TerrorEyz around docks. Fish them slowly to keep them under the dock as long as possible. Drop a live shrimp or pinfish under a dock as well for a great chance at hooking up. There are many great areas to fish so plan on getting some fishing in this month.

Bridges will continue to hold sheephead, jacks, bluefish and some black drum. The big jacks will be invading the river this month. They are not great to eat, but provide a tough battle on light tackle. Ladyfish will be all over the river and keep the kids smiling. The inlet will continue to hold bluefish, jacks and mackerel. While April might be a little windy, it is still a great month to fish the Indian River. 

April is the first month that fish can enjoy all the many baitfish schools and they will be feeding heavily on the schools around the flats. The water has already been warming up and you can see the changes in the bite already. Early morning can bring lots of good results this time of year. It was a cooler winter this year and the fish are anxious to enjoy the arrival of the bait schools…..and so are we!

Scouting Around Palm Beach / Martin County Area

            photo courtsey of Jayson Arman               

The snook fishing in the St. Lucie River has begun heating up. One captain said he’s catching 12 to 20 fish per day using live pilchards. Though most have been shorts there are slot-size fish to be had. Additionally, some of the bigger fish have started moving out of the north and south forks of the river.
Mixed in with some of the snook have some big ‘gator’ trout. Fish up to eight pounds are being caught on live pilchards.
The sheepshead bite, which was really good last week by the powerlines, has thinned out quite a bit.
Anglers working the bridge pilings are reporting good action on black drum.
Along the Jensen-area beaches there is still good action on whiting and croaker as well jack crevalle, bluefish and even a few snook.
Along the beaches in Jupiter, anglers are still catching pompano and bluefish along with good numbers of croaker and whiting.
Pier anglers are reporting a decent Spanish mackerel bite.
There have been schools of bluefish moving up into the Loxahatchee River. Big bluefish up to 15 pounds are being taken on top water plugs and providing a great fight.
There are reports have large numbers of baitfish including sardines, greenies, silversides and goggle eyes moving through the Boynton Inlet.
Anglers using both live and fresh dead baits have been catching mangrove snapper, snook, jack crevalle and some ladyfish.
Night time anglers fishing crabs have been catching permit up to 30 pounds.
In the Intracoastal Waterway there were a few redfish taken by anglers fishing the pier located at the Boynton Beach Public Boat Ramp and along the west docks located near the Lyman Kayak Park in Lantana. Live shrimp and DOA shrimp were producing the best action.
The Boynton spillway has been producing a decent snook bite for some anglers using live shad, mullet and Rat L Trap lures in shad patterns.
Sand perch have been hitting peeled shrimp at Lantana Bridge and moonfish are hitting chartreuse jigs at night on the south side of the bridge.

LAKE OKEECHOBEE

On the lake the bass bite has been good the past week.
Hot spots have been Eagle Bay and Tin House Cove and live shiners are working best.
If using an artificial however, BB Senkos, Big EZ Copperfields and spinner baits have been working well.

LAKE OSBOURNE

Largemouth, sunshine and peacock bass are hitting live shad. Anglers fishing the banks of the canals early in the morning and using top water lures like Chug Bugs, Top Dogs and Baby Rattlers are reporting explosive action.
report courtsey of Palm Beach Post

Beach Fishing With Paul Sperco Palm Beach/Martin County Area

                                           April is here and so is some fantastic springtime surf fishing. The great news is for those of you that do not want to make the drive to Hobe Sound there are plenty of pompano, whiting, and bluefish right on our local beaches. Normandy, Bob Graham, Santa Lucea, and Middle Cove beaches all produced some excellent action over the weekend and this morning. The one factor that kept the catch rate down somewhat was the presence of weeds on South Hutchinson Island on Sunday. I fished at Middle Cove on Sunday with my son Randy, and in between removing all of the grass from our lines we managed to catch pompano, big whiting, bluefish, jacks, and a few croaker. The whiting bite at all of the area beaches was fantastic on Saturday with Fishbites and cut shrimp being the best baits. This morning I returned to Middle Cove and there was some weeds and the water had turned from the beautiful blue-green color to a dirtier green. As the tide got closer to the high stage the weeds lessened and the water cleaned up. The pompano started to bite around 8 am and by 9 I had my limit of with a couple of bluefish thrown into the mix. EZ Flea Fishbites and clam strips were the productive baits and almost every pompano was 80 to 90 yards off of the beach. I was joined by friend Chuck Frith from Jensen Beach around 9 am and by 11 Chuck also had a limit. The whiting started to bite just as we were getting ready to leave and local resident and angler Steve Potter, who was fishing just south of us, was getting steady action on that species. Look for the action to continue this week and the only questionable weather day may be Thursday as the wind is forecast to pick up to 20 knots from the northeast. 

Sebastian Inlet Report

                                                      

SHEEPSHEAD, OVERSIZED SNOOK, BLUES, JACKS AND BLACK DRUM

We have a very nice morning at the inlet, no winds to speak of and the water is calm.  Conditions are great for getting out and doing a little fishing.  Conditions are forecasted to remain calm through late Wednesday when another front will pass through bringing us higher winds and seas.
Tommy Turowski at the Sebastian Inlet District reported a very busy weekend at the State Park.  We couldn’t have ordered better weather.  Unfortunately, the bite was only fair.  Oversized Snook and Sheepshead were the dominant catches with a smattering of Blues, Black Drum and Jacks rounding out the mix.
Our angler of the day is winter regular Rich Blum.  Rich landed his Black Drum and Redfish off the north jetty using shrimp. 

From Todd &Trey @ Juno Bait -Juno Beach


INSHORE- Snook fishing remains very good inshore right now.  The bigger snook are biting mullet, big swibaits, and swimming plugs well right now.  Live shrimp and smaller swimbaits are working well for getting lots of snook bites.  Good numbers of jacks cruising seawalls in the ICW right now.  Still seeing a good number of sheepshead and some black drum around; both are eating live shrimp well.

SURF/PIER-  Pompano fishing has been good when conditions allow.  Sandfleas, clams, and fishbites are the top baits for the pompano.  The bluefish action has started to slow, but is starting to be filled in with the arrival of some snook along the beach.  Croakers and whiting are biting well in the first trough on small pieces of fresh shrimp.  

Beach Fishing With Paul Sperco Palm Beach/Martin County Area

Here's a quick report about the surf action for this Holiday weekend. The Pompano bite in Hobe Sound is living up to the springtime pattern that we normally have in the month of April. Reports of a excellent bite on Friday afternoon at the Bridge Road Beach access proved to be true as the bite was still going strong this morning. I arrived in the dark and cast my first rod out around 7 am. The action was immediate and by 8:15 I was limited out with some beautiful pompano. Fishbites and clam strips were the hot baits fished on the long rods. As I made my way up the beach there was steady action in all areas of the Public Beach access and this great fishing should continue. I spoke with some folks who fished locally and it seems like the whiting and croaker fishing was excellent there along with some pompano mixed in . Santa Lucea, Tiger Shores, Normandy, and Middle Cove all produced whiting and croaker both on the long rods targeting pompano, and for those that fished the near-shore trough . Fishbites and cut shrimp produced at all of the locations. The weather forecast for this first week of April looks pretty good right until mid-week . Thuesday looks a little bit questionable with some stronger winds and seas to seven feet, but a lot can happen between now and then.